The Delta variant of the coronavirus has been confirmed in the Cayman Islands.

It was brought into the country by visitors from Miami.

Cayman’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr John Lee said: “Given the prevalence of the Delta variant in the UK, it was only a matter of time before it was detected in the Cayman Islands. It will also be of concern that both those people were fully vaccinated… For me, this reiterates and reinforces the need to be vaccinated to benefit from protection against serious illness and death even with these more infectious variants.”

COVID cases are on the rise again in the Caribbean and the Delta variant is a more virulent strain.

The region may very well see a third wave of COVID infections very soon.

Jamaica has not reported any cases of the Delta strain but decided to open up the country at the beginning of July, allowing party organisers and the entertainment sector to begin making money again.

Over the last two weeks, cases have spiked and Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday.

There has been a reluctance to get inoculated in the Caribbean and exacerbating the situation is the more developed countries not being willing to share their plentiful vaccines until their people are adequately covered first.

Cayman has done well, seeing to it that as of today over 70 per cent of its people have had at least the first of a two-dose vaccine. At least 66 per cent of the population have had both doses.

Cayman has taken a sensible approach, demonstrating caution about reopening and insisting that its people take the vaccine.

It will begin to reopen its borders in late September but is aware that this could lead to community spread.